Sharon Needles is the stage name of Aaron Coady, an American drag performer, recording artist and winner of season 4 of "Rupaul's Drag Race". A self-described "stupid genius, reviled sweetheart, and PBR princess," Needles rose to prominence on the fourth season of the Logo reality competition where she quickly became a fan favorite and was subsequently crowned "America's Next Drag Superstar" in April of 2012.
Biography
Sharon's real name is Aaron Coady. Sharon Needles' name originated when Sharon and her brother were trying to come up with the an offensive play on words, thus the name Sharon Needles was born. Sharon had a rough childhood growing up in Newton, Iowa, where she dealt with anti gay views on a daily basis. She eventually relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2004 to pursue her love of drag.
Sharon is in a relationship with fellow drag queen Alaska Thunderfuck. During the course of season four, it was revealed by Sharon that Alaska had auditioned for all four seasons of the show and had not made it on the show, while for Sharon season four had been her first audition and she made it in right away. Sharon felt guilt at this, but eventually overcame it with the help of Alaska, Rupaul, and her fellow Queens.
RuPaul's Drag Race
During the course of the season, Sharon endeared herself to both fans and judges with her spooky aesthetic, quick wit, and humble attitude. She dazzled the judges each week with her appearances on the runway.
Sharon was one of the final three girls alongside fellow queens Phi Phi O'Hara and Chad Michaels. The three performed in the music video for Rupaul's song "Glamazon". They found out then on the runway stage that the winner would be announced live several months after the final episode was shot. Three different endings were shot for the show, with Sharon, Chad and PhiPhi each being shot as the winner, so that only Ru and the crew of the show would know who would actually win. On April 30, 2012 Sharon Needles was crowned America's Next Drag Superstar of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4 at the Reunion special.
RuPaul's Drag Race Stats:
| Season Competed: | Season 4 |
| Ranking: | 1st Place (Winner) |
| Mini-Challenges Won: | 1 (ep. 11) |
| Times as Team Captain: | 0 |
| Main Challenges Won: | 4 (ep. 1, 3, 9, 11) |
| Times in Bottom Two: | 1 (ep. 8) |
| Episode Eliminated: | N/A |
- Sharon is the winner of Season 4.
- Sharon holds the record for the most main challenges won in one season by one contestant, with a total of four main challenge wins. This makes her the season winner with the most main challenge wins.
- Sharon won the main challenges in episode 1 ("RuPocalypse Now!"), episode 3 ("Glamazons vs. Champions"), episode 9 ("Frock the Vote!"), and episode 11 ("The Fabulous Bitch Ball").
- In episode 5, "Snatch Game", Sharon portrayed panel judge Michelle Visage. She was praised for her portrayal, but did not win the challenge.
- Sharon won only one mini-challenge during her season, in episode 11. She never once won the role of team captain.
- The prizes Sharon won for winning her season included a headlining spot on Logo's Drag Race Tour featuring Absolut Vodka, a one-of-a-kind trip, a lifetime supply of NYX Cosmetics, a cash prize of $100,000, and the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar."
- Sharon is the first contestant in series history to win the $100,000 grand prize, which at the time was the highest cash prize amount ever awarded on the show and is the current amount awarded to season winners from season 4 and onward.
- Sharon is the first Caucasian season winner in series history.
- Sharon and Phi Phi had a close bond during filming, and were known to show heart-warming displays of friendship. During the Reading Challenge, Phi Phi informed Sharon that she appreciated how her unique look was reminiscent of Party City, obviously implying that it was fun and a real party. Sharon then told her friend that she bought her a Lady Gaga wig there. Many viewers thought it was wonderful that Sharon went out of her way to buy Phi Phi bewigglements, despite them being competitors.
All Stars
Sharon was initially chosen to be a part of RuPaul's Drag Race: All Stars by the fans. However, due to the fact that she was chosen as the champion of season four and was extremely busy, she recorded a Facebook message to her fans that while she was flattered, she would not take part in the competition. Instead, fan favorite Pandora Boxx would be taking her place.
Aftermath
Following the show, Sharon has continued to make drag apperances across the US and Canada. She is currently serving as a host on Logo TV for a month of horror films. She is also a spokesperson for PETA, as she is a vegetarian. She also had a day named "Sharon Needles Day" in Pittsburgh on June 12, 2012. She performed as Dr. Frankenfurter in Texas for a limited run of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
She is playing in a theater version of The Craft along with Peaches Christ, Alaska Thunderfuck and Honey Mohagany. She has also recorded an album with people she admires, such as Amanda Lepore, Jane County (first transgender woman in a punk rock band) and RuPaul.
Memorable Quotes
- During the Show
- Season 4 is going to be Cancelled!
- Do I think I'm gonna win RuPaul's drag race? I dunno!
- I look spooky, but I'm really nice!... At least for now!
- Three words to describe Sharon Needles are Beautiful, Spooky, and Stupid.
- You should have seen what me and Ru were on, at the limelight. It's all behind us now, we're on uppers, downers, and candycorns! - As Michelle Visage in the "Snatch Game"
- Though I may dabble in the black-arts, when I hear RuPaul's music, I see the light!
- Dida Ritz, a lot of you girls like to clock me for painting my skin on the gray side, but I was inspired by your knees... and they're the same color as Willam's chin!
- Jiggly Caliente, you're such a fat slut, after sex you smoke hams!
- I LOVE PUSSY
- Tired Ass Showgirl
- Have you done porn? You should certainly consider it!
- Playing girly-ish and bouncy is something really foreign to me.
- My hand works great on a snake.
- I fully support gay divorce.
- I have ‘dignity’ looks and ‘paycheck’ looks. Dignity is when I will not bend, for anyone. I don’t care if I make a dollar, I’m doin what I’m doin. Then there’s times the electric’s about to shut off so I dress up like Lady GaGa.
- When in doubt, freak ‘em out.
- I like spotlight, not sunlight.
- There's nothing natural about me.
- …she ordered those tears from China
- Damn those chinese fingers are good
- I’m working with a DILK: A Dad I’d Like to Kill.
- Well, I enjoy being down on a pole.
- Latrice is taking me to church [with her lipsynch]. I mean, my skin started smoking.
- Off the Show
- Being booed off stage is just an applause from ghosts!
Fun Facts
- Sharon is a vegetarian.
- In the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; June 12 is city recognized Sharon Needles Day.
Discography
On New Years Eve (2012), Needles debuted an unreleased song titled "Dead Girls 'Don't 'Say No" at Blue Moon Bar which would later appear on Sharon's first album "PG-13".
PG-13 is the début studio album by American drag queen Sharon Needles, released on January 29, 2013. The album contained 12 songs which included a cover of Ministry's 1984 single (Every Day Is) Halloween. Featured on the album are; RuPaul, Amanda Lepore, Ana Mantronic, Alaska Thunderfuck, Armen Ra and Jane Country.
PG-13 debuted at number 186 on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 3,000 copies in its first week. The album's first-week album sales were larger than RuPaul's 2011 album Glamazon. PG-13 climbed up the iTunes Top Ten Pop Album Chart—reaching number 4, between Josh Groban and Justin Bieber.
The lead single off the album was This Club is a Haunted House Feat. RuPaul which was released on January 22, 2013.
Gallery
Follow Sharon Needles
| Winner | Sharon Needles |
|---|---|
| Runners-Up | 2nd & 3rd: Chad Michaels & Phi Phi O'Hara |
| Other Contestants | 4th: Latrice Royale (Miss Congeniality) • 5th: Kenya Michaels • 6th: Dida Ritz • 7th: Willam (Disqualified) • 8th: Jiggly Caliente • 9th: Milan • 10th: Madame LaQueer • 11th: The Princess • 12th: Lashauwn Beyond • 13th: Alisa Summers |
| Judges | RuPaul • Santino Rice • Michelle Visage • Billy B |
| Pit Crew | Jason Carter • Shawn Morales |